It's time to plan for spring break

The good deals are going fast

A group of students on spring break, left, share the beach with a nearby family on March 28, 2001, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The Associated Press

By Meredith CummingsCommunity News Editor

Published: Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 11, 2008 at 1:36 p.m.

Kristian Corpuz, 17, a senior at Hillcrest High School, is torn about where he will go this spring break: San Diego, Calif. or Pensacola, Fla.

He has a cousin in both cities and a sweet deal on free housing in Pensacola, should his family choose to go there.

“My cousin has a condo right next to the beach, so I walk out the front door and I’m at the beach already,” Corpuz said.

But not everyone is so lucky, nor have they thought ahead about spring break, which, for Tuscaloosa City and County Schools falls the week of March 15-23, and for University of Alabama students, March 14-21.

Terry Merritt, owner of Worldwide Travel and Tours, said that if you haven’t already made spring break plans, the time is now.

“You always have these procrastinators waiting until the last minute,” he said. “All the good deals were booked September and October. Very, very, very few deals are left, especially if you’re going to fly.”

Merritt has seen a lot of requests for travel to Mexico, where the dollar is strong, as well as the Caribbean. Cruises are always popular, too, he added.

“We get some that go to Cancun and Cozumel and some places like that — but more people tend to go to one of the Florida beaches. Daytona is probably the biggest destination,” Ingram said.

Continued below

“Those hotel rooms are going to start filling up quickly,” Ingram said. “It always pays to plan ahead in any kind of travel, or you run the risk of not getting to go where you want and not getting to stay where you want to stay.”

Travel agents warned against waiting until the last minute, despite last-minute deals offered online, where college students frequent travel sites such as Travelocity or Priceline.com.

“More than likely you’re going to get shut out completely and not find anywhere to stay,” Ingram said. “You’re really rolling the dice on that.”

But if you’re one of the many people who waited until after the holidays to tackle spring break plans, you’re not alone. Merritt suggested starting online with research to see what is still available.

“Sometimes it’s your only option when you’ve procrastinated and you have to scrounge around and take what I call the leftovers,” Merritt said. “You get the least desirable hotels, the least desirable flight schedules and, a lot of the time, online deals are the flight schedules nobody else wanted or would buy, with double triple or quadruple connections. You have to ask yourself: Is nine more hours worth $50?”

<p>Kristian Corpuz, 17, a senior at Hillcrest High School, is torn about where he will go this spring break: San Diego, Calif. or Pensacola, Fla.</p><p>He has a cousin in both cities and a sweet deal on free housing in Pensacola, should his family choose to go there.</p><p>My cousin has a condo right next to the beach, so I walk out the front door and I’m at the beach already, Corpuz said.</p><p>But not everyone is so lucky, nor have they thought ahead about spring break, which, for Tuscaloosa City and County Schools falls the week of March 15-23, and for University of Alabama students, March 14-21.</p><p>Terry Merritt, owner of Worldwide Travel and Tours, said that if you haven’t already made spring break plans, the time is now.</p><p> You always have these procrastinators waiting until the last minute, he said. All the good deals were booked September and October. Very, very, very few deals are left, especially if you’re going to fly.</p><p>Merritt has seen a lot of requests for travel to Mexico, where the dollar is strong, as well as the Caribbean. Cruises are always popular, too, he added.</p><p>Clay Ingram, public relations manager for AAA Alabama, said the Florida mainstays  Daytona, Fort Walton, Fort Lauderdale, Panama City and Destin  are always popular.</p><p>We get some that go to Cancun and Cozumel and some places like that  but more people tend to go to one of the Florida beaches. Daytona is probably the biggest destination, Ingram said.</p><p><i>Continued below</I></p><!-- Start of Brightcove Experience -->
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<!-- End of Brightcove Experience --><p>Those hotel rooms are going to start filling up quickly, Ingram said. It always pays to plan ahead in any kind of travel, or you run the risk of not getting to go where you want and not getting to stay where you want to stay.</p><p>Travel agents warned against waiting until the last minute, despite last-minute deals offered online, where college students frequent travel sites such as Travelocity or Priceline.com.</p><p>More than likely you’re going to get shut out completely and not find anywhere to stay, Ingram said. You’re really rolling the dice on that.</p><p>But if you’re one of the many people who waited until after the holidays to tackle spring break plans, you’re not alone. Merritt suggested starting online with research to see what is still available.</p><p>Sometimes it’s your only option when you’ve procrastinated and you have to scrounge around and take what I call the leftovers, Merritt said. You get the least desirable hotels, the least desirable flight schedules and, a lot of the time, online deals are the flight schedules nobody else wanted or would buy, with double triple or quadruple connections. You have to ask yourself: Is nine more hours worth $50?</p><p>Reach Meredith Cummings at meredith.cummings@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0227.</p>